Danai TiwawechSomjin ChindavijakSudjit TongnunTakafumi Ishida2011-02-222011-02-222010-04-072010-04-07Thai Cancer Journal; Vol.29 No.3 July-September 2009; 115-125http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/132368Oral cavity cancer (OCC) is a serious malignant disease in Thailand, particularly in the South, including Suratthani province, with a trend to increase in the number of its death yearly. However, patients with early stages of OCC are treatable. Hence, a mass screening for early stages of OCC patients without cancer-related symptoms is urgent. GSTM1 gene (GSTM1) that produced enzyme for detoxification of carcinogens has been reported to be polymorphic and associated with the risk of several cancer developments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between GSTM1 polymorphisms and the risk of OCC development in Suratthani province population. The frequency of GSTM1 genotypes [GSTM1 normal (GSTM1+) and GSTM1 null genotype (GSTM1-)] was detected in DNA extracted from peripheral white blood cells of 200 cases of OCC patients and 200 healthy controls using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Overall, the frequency of GSTM1 genotypes between OCC and healthy control groups was significantly different (P \< 0.001). Individuals with GSTM1- had increased risk about 1.95-fold for OCC development as compared with those GSTM1+ [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.95, 95% confidence interval = 1.31-2.90]. In addition, GSTM1 polymorphism was found to be associated with an increased risk of OCC development in cigarette smokers, alcohol drinkers, and betel-nut chewers. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that GSTM1 polymorphism is associated with the risk of OCC development and the GSTM1- is the key factor for increasing the risk of OCC. Therefore, the detection of GSTM1 polymorphism is a useful tool in screening for the high-risk group that may be lead to identification of early stages of OCC in population who reside in Suratthani province.en-USNational Cancer Institute of Thailand, Bangkok, ThailandResearch Articles